When you need to get your hands on new resources for your delivery, make sure you search for any existing resources first. Start by checking out what is available in the Durack Institute Library.
Other places to look for ready-made resources that are suitable for online and flexible delivery include:
Toolbox Repository - where you can get most of the Toolbox content for free, in learning object format, that can be loaded straight into a Moodle or BlackBoard online course http://tle.tafevc.com.au/toolbox/access/home.do
Another useful way to find resources is to Google your topic using key words, or even the title of the Unit of Competency that you are looking for resources for. You'll be amazed by what you will find! https://www.google.com.au Some things to think about whilst you are hunting around for resources:
Are there any licencing arrangements?
What are the copyright conditions?
Can I make copies for my students?
Can I make changes and customise the content?
What are the costs involved?
Is a subscription required?
Is there a one-off fee?
How can I use the materials?
Is there an electronic version that I can edit available?
E-books
E-books are becoming more popular and more readily available. There are an amazing number of e-book sites on all topics and for all purposes. Be warned - not all are good quality!
E-books can come in different formats from basic PDF files that can be downloaded and used on any computer or device that has a PDF reader, e.g. Adobe Reader (free) installed to highly interactive e-books that have video embedded and page-turning and other animation included. Some are also 'locked' to a specific format/supplier, for example Amazon or Kindle.
There are many free e-books, however they can contain lots of additional sponsor's information and ads. So it pays to evaluate them carefully for suitability for your students / course.
You should also check copyright conditions if you are linking to e-books on the web, or downloading them to use with your students.
You can also develop your own e-books. My tip would be to start off simple and then build bigger, more complex books as you get more experienced.
Moodle and Blackboard are the two Learning Management Systems (LMS) we use at Durack. However, you don't have to use an LMS to put your resources on the web. You could use a freely hosted wiki or blog. The advantage of using an LMS is you also have access to helpful student tracking and communication tools. Also, we will always 'own' the contents of your course, so it won't ever disappear on you.Having said that, wikis and blogs are easy to set up and use and because of their 'Facebook' look, students are familiar with the format. Some popular sites are:
Just a word of caution, check with the IT guys before using any Web 2.0 tools, as only some of the more reputable sites are able to be accessed at Durack. There are many easy to use open-source tools that you can use to create and customise your own professional looking multi-media and online materials. Some examples are:
Capture screen shots and screen casts to demonstrate computer tasks and processes to your students, or to familiarise them with industry specific websites (for example, regulatory and legislation sites)
Refer to the Commonly used tools document accessible from the link below for many other examples of tools and programs.
The National VET E-learning Strategy has some really helpful information and resources about developing your own online and flexible learning materials, including:
The VET Teacher E-learning Toolkit
Commonly used e-learning applications and tools in VET
Sometimes the resources you have for your face-to-face students might need to be adapted for flexible delivery including for example, for Trainees in the workplace.
The first thing you must always consider if you did not develop the resource yourself is Copyright.
What are the licensing conditions for the materials?
Do you have permission to modify the resources, or do you need to apply for permission?
Do you need to send anyone a copy of your modified version?
If you are not sure about any of the this, please talk to the helpful Durack Library staff. Assuming you can edit the materials, here's some tips on what to do:
Look for any references to specific Durack places or information. Make sure all the information is appropriate for, and does not disadvantage off-campus learners.
If there is a study plan included in the resource, make sure it is customised, or is 'generic' enough to suit flexible learning. It is a good idea to keep information about times / semesters / years etc. as general as possible, that way your resources will remain current for much longer. It is much better to provide this type of information in an easily updated separate handout.
Try to refer to additional learning resources that are freely available and can be conveniently accessed via the Internet at anytime.
If you are adapting your materials for online use, 'chunk' the content into easily manageable topics or sections and be sure to include interactive elements and self assessment activities in each section, to help keep learners interested and motivated.
Wherever possible, PDF you learning resources before uploading them to the web. This creates stable and smaller more easily downloadable files and it enables the learner to view the resource using many different platforms and devices - even from their smart phone!
What to put in an online course Don't just put your workbook online, take advantage of all the multi-media resources you can include in your course to make it much more exciting.
Add interactive support materials to enhance and present the existing information in a more engaging way
You will be catering for all learning styles
It allows your learners to review information as often as they wish
Add quizzes as self-assessment activities and to reinforce key points, as well as 'tests' for Required Knowledge
Add your session PowerPoints and Handouts (PDF copies are always best)
Use the code provided on sites like YouTube to have your movie embedded directly into your course, just like this example (watch the following video to learn how)
Use the inbuilt email, chat, forums and wiki tools to stay in communication with your students.
Before you know it, you've got a fantastic online course
Other places to look for ready-made resources that are suitable for online and flexible delivery include:
Another useful way to find resources is to Google your topic using key words, or even the title of the Unit of Competency that you are looking for resources for. You'll be amazed by what you will find! https://www.google.com.au
Some things to think about whilst you are hunting around for resources:
E-books
E-books are becoming more popular and more readily available. There are an amazing number of e-book sites on all topics and for all purposes. Be warned - not all are good quality!
E-books can come in different formats from basic PDF files that can be downloaded and used on any computer or device that has a PDF reader, e.g. Adobe Reader (free) installed to highly interactive e-books that have video embedded and page-turning and other animation included. Some are also 'locked' to a specific format/supplier, for example Amazon or Kindle.
There are many free e-books, however they can contain lots of additional sponsor's information and ads. So it pays to evaluate them carefully for suitability for your students / course.
You should also check copyright conditions if you are linking to e-books on the web, or downloading them to use with your students.
You can also develop your own e-books. My tip would be to start off simple and then build bigger, more complex books as you get more experienced.
Here are some places to start to look for existing (free or paid) e-books:
Project Gutenberg http://gutenberg.net.au
Book Boon http://bookboon.com
DigiLibraries http://www.digilibraries.com
Bibliomania http://www.bibliomania.com
Many Books http://manybooks.net
University of Adelaide http://ebooks.adelaide.edu.au
Feed Books http://www.feedbooks.com/publicdomain
Books in my Phone http://www.booksinmyphone.com
Free Tech Books http://www.freetechbooks.com
Read Print http://www.readprint.com/online-books
Free e-books http://www.e-book.com.au/freebooks.htm
Wikibooks http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Main_Page
eBookee http://ebookee.org
2020ok http://2020ok.com
Free pdf books and e-books http://getfreepdf.com
Internet Archive (free Internet library) http://archive.org/details/texts
If you are interested in learning more about e-books, contact the Durack Library staff.
Developing your own online and flexible resources
Moodle and Blackboard are the two Learning Management Systems (LMS) we use at Durack. However, you don't have to use an LMS to put your resources on the web. You could use a freely hosted wiki or blog.
The advantage of using an LMS is you also have access to helpful student tracking and communication tools. Also, we will always 'own' the contents of your course, so it won't ever disappear on you.Having said that, wikis and blogs are easy to set up and use and because of their 'Facebook' look, students are familiar with the format.
Some popular sites are:
Just a word of caution, check with the IT guys before using any Web 2.0 tools, as only some of the more reputable sites are able to be accessed at Durack.
There are many easy to use open-source tools that you can use to create and customise your own professional looking multi-media and online materials. Some examples are:
Refer to the Commonly used tools document accessible from the link below for many other examples of tools and programs.
The National VET E-learning Strategy has some really helpful information and resources about developing your own online and flexible learning materials, including:
- The VET Teacher E-learning Toolkit
- Commonly used e-learning applications and tools in VET
http://e-standards.flexiblelearning.net.au/implementation/vet_teacher_e-learning_toolkit/index.phpCustomising existing resources
Sometimes the resources you have for your face-to-face students might need to be adapted for flexible delivery including for example, for Trainees in the workplace.
The first thing you must always consider if you did not develop the resource yourself is Copyright.
- What are the licensing conditions for the materials?
- Do you have permission to modify the resources, or do you need to apply for permission?
- Do you need to send anyone a copy of your modified version?
If you are not sure about any of the this, please talk to the helpful Durack Library staff.Assuming you can edit the materials, here's some tips on what to do:
What to put in an online course
Don't just put your workbook online, take advantage of all the multi-media resources you can include in your course to make it much more exciting.
- Add interactive support materials to enhance and present the existing information in a more engaging way
- You will be catering for all learning styles
- It allows your learners to review information as often as they wish
- Add quizzes as self-assessment activities and to reinforce key points, as well as 'tests' for Required Knowledge
- Add your session PowerPoints and Handouts (PDF copies are always best)
- Use the code provided on sites like YouTube to have your movie embedded directly into your course, just like this example (watch the following video to learn how)
- Use the inbuilt email, chat, forums and wiki tools to stay in communication with your students.
Before you know it, you've got a fantastic online course